St Peter's School, Giving and Impact Review 2023-2024 by StPetersYork

I am thrilled to announce that since the launch of the Keys for Life Campaign in March 2022, we have now raised an incredible £2 million. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the generosity and dedication of you, our giving community. Because of your support, we have been able to steadily increase our bursaries. In September 2024, a total of 47 pupils with bursary awards will be at St Peter’s, a significant increase from the 30 awards we began with in 2021/22. This growth truly reflects our commitment to providing life-changing opportunities to more pupils.

We are also so incredibly grateful to receive financial gifts to support our pupils’ education in music, science and languages, or for those young people whose family circumstances unexpectedly change.

We are supported by many dedicated volunteers. From The Friends of St Peter’s School to the guidance provided by pupil mentors, the commitment of archivists, and the invaluable service of governors, our volunteers are vital to our thriving community. The work of The OP Club Committee, the advocates of the Keys for Life Campaign, and the enthusiasm brought by OP Sports Ambassadors illustrate the generosity of time and effort that enriches our school.

We are all aware of the rising cost of living and the challenges facing the independent school sector, including VAT on fees. Despite these obstacles, we see the Keys for Life Campaign as an opportunity to celebrate all that St Peter’s offers to our pupils and our community. Now, more than ever, bursaries play a crucial role in maintaining our diverse demographic and we are incredibly touched that despite all the financial pressures of today’s world, you continue to give your steadfast support to St Peter’s.

In the following pages you will read testimonies and stories from some of our current bursary pupils and their families. I think you will agree with me, that these young people are outstanding Peterites and passionate advocates for our Bursary Award Programme.

Jeremy Walker, Head Master

£609,500

£382,000 in total donations of which

Record Breaking Giving In 2023-24: 230 people donated that’s’ a 20% increase on last year! We received came from legacies of Old Peterites and their families that’s a six-fold increase on last year!

18 gifts in kind for events and our school

We awarded

36 Bursaries awarded in 2022

43 47

Bursaries awarded in 2021 Bursaries awarded in 2023 Bursaries awarded in 2024

Thank you for the support from our whole community. Together we are making a difference.

Bracken’s story

This is my dream school. Every teacher is dedicated, thoughtful and always goes above and beyond. The fantastic teaching styles have inspired me to dig deeper into my subjects. There are a multitude of opportunities at St Peter’s, and I have embraced as many as I can, joining numerous activities such as school and Chapel choir, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and rowing. Singing with my choir at St George’s Chapel in Windsor was a once in a lifetime experience that I will always remember.

Bracken (Sixth Form)

We chose St Peter’s School, not only for its vibrant history, excellent educational success and reputation, but also because it is a school that cares deeply for its pupils’ education and welfare. The school encourages its pupils to engage in different experiences and opportunities, outside of what they may have previously done. We have been delighted with every aspect of the school this year and we are eternally grateful for Bracken’s Bursary Award.

Davina, Mum of Bracken (Sixth Form)

Clara’s story

Clara has enjoyed a fantastic, well rounded, and inspiring education at St Peter’s. She been exposed to a vast array of opportunities throughout the school, developing into a young person that I couldn’t be prouder of. She is inspired and supported by fabulous teaching professionals who have all played a valued part in ensuring she can access the best education in an environment that is nurturing and supportive. The St Peter’s Bursary Award has been invaluable, and I cannot thank the school enough.

Mia,

Mum of Clara (Fifth Form)

Being a student at St Peter’s is fantastic! I am well supported in all aspects of school life and have been given great opportunities academically and in extra-curricular activities which have challenged me and built my confidence. It is a supportive environment where I have been able to achieve many things throughout my time so far such as playing tennis at Eton and swimming in the Olympic pool. I am very fortunate to have inspiring, helpful teachers and friends who have helped me raise my attainment and continue to encourage me as I head into the Fifth Form. I feel that my education at St Peter’s provides me with the strongest foundation so that I can build an aspiring future; it has given me the keys for life.

Clara (Fifth Form)

Keys for Life Gala Fundraising Dinner and Auction

On Friday 24th November 2023 we hosted our first Keys for Life Gala Fundraising Dinner at The Minster Refectory in York. Our school community came together by contributing superb auction items, buying event tickets, and bidding enthusiastically for auction lots on the night. The grand total from all bids, sales, and donations at the end of the night was a fantastic £29,596

Thank you to everyone who supported and contributed the fantastic prizes.

Our next Gala Fundraising Dinner and Auction is on 29th November 2024

Other gifts to the School

Prize Draw

The Oglesby family of Goldsborough Hall recently donated a fabulous overnight stay for a Prize Draw which raised over £900 for Keys for Life.

Whole School Fundraiser

The legendary Paddy Stephen organised a fantastic whole school walk, run, swim and row raising over £12,000 for several charities including Keys For Life.

Art Fundraisers

Our fantastic Art teachers Chris Hall and Hazel Battersby teamed up with parent, Georgie Britton to put on a spectacular show of artwork in their exhibition “Land and Sea” with a portion of each sale going towards the St Peter’s Keys for Life Bursary Campaign.

Partnerships

The wonderful people at No1 Guesthouse on Bootham generously donated champagne for our leavers’ event in July.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our fundraising this year!

Language, Science and Music Awards

Help With Fees

Gifts for

• Annual Prizegiving

• Pupil-led Initiatives

• Facilities

Why I give

Giving in memory of my husband, the late Hugh R. L. Purse (Manor 1958), by

Dr. Karl R. Wall

“Throughout his life, Hugh spoke fondly and proudly of being a pupil at St. Peter’s in the 1950s. He strongly maintained that his education and experiences gained at school provided him with a solid foundation for his subsequent distinguished career in law nationally in the UK, in the EU and abroad, on behalf of the UK government.

In recognition and gratitude for his education, Hugh became a member of the School’s 627 Society, regularly giving a monthly gift for many years to support the Bursary Award Programme. In Hugh’s memory, I have decided to continue this regular gift, hoping to ensure that the next generation of Peterites benefit from the marvellous opportunities that Hugh once received.”

Transformational nature of legacies

This year, the Keys for Life Bursary Fund received a remarkable boost, thanks to a transformational six-figure legacy gift. This generous donation came from an Old Peterite, a former pupil in the 1940s and 1950s and a volunteer at the School in later years. Though decades have passed since his time at the School, his affection and appreciation for the education he received remained.

Legacy gifts are not just a financial contribution; they are a bridge between generations, connecting the past with the future and highlight the difference that alumni can make in the lives of current and future pupils. The School is deeply grateful for this gift, along with the legacy bequest of another Old Peterite of over five figures, which will help to secure the education of many young Peterites to come.

Saying Thank You

In June we held our annual thank you party attended by over 80 of St Peter’s valued donors and volunteers. For the first time we welcomed 5 bursary pupils and their families who enjoyed speaking with those gathered, about their time at St Peter’s. Watch our film and photo compilation

Benjamin’s story

The quality of the academic teaching and support has enabled our son to hone his interests and progress in his levels of attainment in a way that surpasses our expectations. This will stand him in good stead for his next steps in education and lays the foundation upon which he can build as he enters his adult life.

Louise, Mum of Benjamin (Fourth Form)

The opportunity to attend this amazing school is a privilege. St Peter’s has a well renowned reputation for getting the best out of their students and helping them to maximize their potential. I have certainly felt this to be the case for me so far.

Benjamin (Fourth Form)

As we enter the final term of my daughter’s first year we reflect on her achievements, positive mental attitude and sense of purpose. We are seeing our daughter grow in confidence, knowledge and shared values with an enviable zest and vigour for life.

Dad to St Peter’s Bursary Award Pupil in J5

The breadth of the curriculum, the facilities, and the outcomes those create have given my daughter great confidence. The Bursary Award to St Peter’s has helped her to achieve her best and we are very grateful for it.

Dad to St Peter’s Bursary Award Pupil in J5

Ways to Give

Regular Donation

Regular monthly gifts help us plan our bursary provision effectively. For example, a regular gift could pay for ongoing music tuition for one of our bursary pupils. Our valued members of the 627 Society give in this way.

One-off Donation

Some of our donors make a one-off donation for specific projects or to Keys for Life. You can donate gifts of less than £500 through our website. To make larger gifts or to discuss how your gift could be used, please get in touch.

Cross Keys Legacy Society

Gifts in wills are transformative to the scale of our bursary provision. You can leave a gift in your will at no cost to you now and in doing so, leave a lasting legacy for St Peter’s pupils far into the future. Most legators simply express their wishes to leave a gift when drawing up their will, however if you need further information, we can send you our ‘gifts in wills’ pack.

Corporate Support

Let us know if your company or employer would like to give a donation or a gift in kind or even match fund other donations. By donating, your business or industry will gain wide brand exposure, and you will be supporting a worthwhile cause.

Find out more by visiting our giving page: www.keysforlife.org.uk

The Development and Alumni Team, St Peter’s School York, YO30 6AB tel. 01904 527363 development@stpetersyork.org.uk